Will Smith wins legal victory as sexual harassment case is thrown out
The judge found insufficient evidence linking Smith to the alleged incident
A sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Will Smith by musician Brian King Joseph has been dismissed after a California judge ruled the claims did not meet the legal threshold to proceed.
The case stemmed from allegations made by Joseph, a former contestant on America’s Got Talent, who accused Smith of sexual harassment during a period when they were reportedly touring together.
According to court filings reported by TMZ, Joseph alleged that in 2025 someone broke into his Las Vegas hotel room and left behind items including wipes, beer, and HIV medication, along with a note signed using what he claimed was an alias linked to Smith.
He further alleged that the incident was part of a broader pattern of behaviour intended to “groom” him, and claimed he was later fired after reporting the matter to management.
However, a California judge ruled that the allegations described in the filing were not sufficiently severe or consistent to constitute sexual harassment under state law.
The court also found that Joseph failed to provide evidence proving that Smith, rather than someone from his management team or another individual, had accessed the hotel room.
As a result, the lawsuit was dismissed, marking a legal victory for Smith, whose representatives have not publicly commented on the ruling.
The case adds to a series of high-profile legal disputes involving the Oscar-winning actor in recent years, though this matter has now been formally closed by the court.